Rev. Merle Strohbehn

January 27, 2013

Rev. Merle Strohbehn went to be with the Lord Jesus on Dec. 28th, 2012, his family surrounding him with love during his final days. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He is survived by his siblings: Dale, Rosemary O'Connell, Eleanor Sandbach, Roger and Kenneth; wife, Harriett, of 62 years; children: Linda Hendrickson (Jim), Paul (Jan), Donovan (Debra), and Mark (Barbara); 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. All will miss him dearly.

Merle grew up near Reinbeck, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46, and attended Monmouth College, and Pittsburgh Theo. Seminary with continuing education at Princeton Theo. Seminary. He pastored three Presbyterian church congregations: Hanover, IL from 1954-60; Champaign, IL from 1960-65; and Stillwater, MN from 1965-90. After retiring in 1990 he continued to serve the Lord as interim pastor for Terrace Hts. Presbyterian church in Yakima, WA, and four other Presbyterian churches in MN and WI: Lake Nokomis, Austin, Pine City and St. Croix Falls. He will be remembered for his kind, loving attention to the flock, his fine administrative work, and for preaching Jesus as Savior. Merle stated, "Pastoral work is my love. I desire to be with people; calling; walking with them through the difficult times of sickness, grief, troubles, aching with and for them. I would long that when others see me that they might say, 'See how he loves Jesus!'" He was involved in the Presbytery and Chaplaincy Associations, and active in the Stillwater Rotary Club, where he appreciated the weekly contact with community leaders, and the outreach through local and international projects.

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The Strohbehn family would like to acknowledge Dad's cherished friends who have always been especially thoughtful, kind and generous. We appreciate and extend a special thank you to the wonderful, caring staff at Comforts of Home in Hudson, WI, where Dad spent his last two years, and for the grace of hospice.